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ABOUT New Songs Fest
Songwriters are at the heart of our arts community and this is where we begin to grow the next season of songwriters. New Songs is a four-day songwriting festival featuring three days of workshops, three evening concerts, multiple breakout and coaching sessions, studio space, a panel discussion with professional songwriters and a professional production on stage in front of a public audience.
PREVIEW Video
New Songs Fest 2023 was hosted by Rita Hosking, with workshops by Keith Greeninger, Laurie Lewis, Ruthie Foster, Royal Wood, and more!
Workshop attendees get:
- VIP Songwriters Reception
- One ticket to a concert each night of the festival
- Three days of workshops with lunch provided by The Center
- Three days of studio use
- Coaching/Feedback Sessions
- Songwriters Panel discussion
- A performance on a professionally produced stage*
*Participants are encouraged but not required to perform a piece of work at the festival.
FULL SCHEDULE
Thursday 4/27/23 | What | Location |
|---|---|---|
4pm – 5:30pm | Participant Check In | Lobby |
5:30pm – 7pm | Opening Reception | Opening Reception |
8pm – 9:30pm | Keith Greeninger & Laurie Lewis Concert | Main Stage |
Friday 4/28/23 | What | What |
|---|---|---|
10am – 11am | Workshop with Keith Greeninger | Studio 1 |
11am – 12pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
12pm – 1pm | Lunch | Lobby |
1pm – 2pm | Workshop with Rita Hosking | Studio 1 |
2pm – 3pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
3pm – 4pm | Workshop with Laurie Lewis | Studio 1 |
4pm – 6pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
8pm – 9:30pm | Iris Dement Concert | Main Stage |
Saturday 4/29/23 | What | Location |
|---|---|---|
10am – 11am | Workshop with Rita Hosking | Main Stage |
11am – 12pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
12pm – 1pm | Lunch | Lobby |
1pm – 2pm | Workshop with Laurie Lewis | Studio 1 |
2pm – 3pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
3pm – 4pm | Workshop with Royal Wood | OCS |
4pm – 6pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
6pm – 7pm | Q&A with Ruthie Foster | Main Stage |
8pm – 9:30pm | Ruthie Foster Concert | Main Stage |
Sunday 4/30/23 | What | Location |
|---|---|---|
10am – 12pm | Coaching Sessions | Main Stage, OCS, Studios |
12pm – 1pm | Lunch | Lobby |
1pm – 2:30pm | Panel Discussion | Main Stage |
2:30pm – 5pm | Breakout/Studio Time | Studios, OCS |
5:30pm – 8:30pm | New Songs Stage Time | Main Stage, OCS |
2023 WORKSHOP LEADS, PANELISTS & COACHES
Rita Hosking
Host & Workshop Instructor
Royal Wood
Workshop Instructor
Laurie Lewis
Workshop Instructor
Ruthie Foster
Workshop Instructor
Keith Greeninger
Workshop Instructor
Keith Greeninger • Workshop Instructor
WORKSHOP: Breath, Bone and Spirit
Inviting the voice and the body into your songwriting process to help weave lyrical, emotional and vocal dynamics that can guide a song or idea in new directions. Following the instincts in our breath, bones and spirit to open up and tap into the good stuff.
Rita Hosking • Host & Workshop Instructor
WORKSHOP 1: The 5 Minute Song Start
How do we start a song? The 5 Minute Song Start will help you break down barriers and get your songwriting spirits moving…sometimes, you just have to make yourself. Bring your instrument, a notepad, some kind of voice recorder (optional), and a little mercy.
WORKSHOP 2: Lyric Tricks
Let’s talk simple approaches for coming up with well built lyrics. For instance, in the title of this class — notice the sound “ric” in the two, adjacent words? That little bit of repetition makes it more memorable. We’ll do good stuff to strengthen and expand your writing.
Laurie Lewis • Workshop Instructor
WORKSHOP 1: Mining Your and Your Neighbor’s Mind
My most commonly-used start for a song is a well-used and tattered folder wherein I toss scraps of paper with ideas, phrases, song starts, and orphaned verses. Got a line that you can’t do anything with? Pass it to the person on your left.
WORKSHOP 2: Taking Inspiration from Nature
The act of inspiration is, literally, to draw breath. Where does that oxygen come from? Our friends the trees, of course!
Royal Wood • Workshop Instructor
WORKSHOP: Breaking Old Habits
Whether it’s the chords, the melody or the lyrics. It’s important to break old habits and think outside your normal instincts.
PANELISTS
Jim Bruno
Peter Wilson
Hannah Jane Kile
Velvy Appleton
Paul Kamm
Royal Wood
COACHES
- Jim Bruno
- Paul Kamm
- Hannah Jane Kile
- Velvy Appleton
- Peter Wilson
- Mark Vieaux
- Rita Hosking
- Jamal Walker
- Juliet Gobert
- Jorell Bahena
Don't want to attend workshops? Join us for the evening concerts!
public concerts
New Songs Stage Time with Rita Hosking
Sunday, April 30th • this show will feature workshop attendees who wish to share their newly composed material, including a new song by instructor Rita Hosking.
public concerts
Festival Cancellation / Refund Policy
Due to limited attendance and availability, we cannot guarantee refunds for attendee cancellation requests. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for refunds for airline, hotel, or car reservations. We reserve the right to change or cancel any speaker, instructor, performer or session without notice.